Coaxial Transceiver Module with Common Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optoelectronic sensors face challenges in achieving precise alignment and high signal-to-noise ratio due to mechanical adjustments and tolerances, leading to reduced range and frequency response in distance measurement applications.
Innovation Solution
A transceiver module with a coaxial light transmitter and receiver arrangement, where the light transmitter and receiver are micromechanically connected, allowing for precise positioning and eliminating the need for complex adjustments, utilizing a common optics design with a multi-zone lens to optimize light transmission and reception properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate transmitting and receiving lenses are used in a biaxial arrangement, then the complete adjustment program is necessary to achieve proper alignment, but this increases device complexity and reduces manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the transmitting lens and receiving lens into a single common lens structure. The light transmitter and light receiver are positioned coaxially with respect to this common lens, eliminating the need for separate lens assemblies and their associated complex adjustment mechanisms. This merging approach maintains precise alignment while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common lens serves dual functions: it acts as both the transmitting lens and the receiving lens. This multi-functional design allows a single optical component to handle both light emission and light reception tasks, thereby simplifying the overall optical system while maintaining the precision required for both functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the light-sensitive surface of the light receiver is enlarged to maintain tolerances, then mechanical positioning tolerances can be accommodated, but more extraneous light falls on the larger surface resulting in poorer signal-to-noise behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical positioning adjustment with a micromechanical connection system. The light transmitter and light receiver are micromechanically connected to each other, providing precise positioning through micromechanical structures rather than relying on large tolerances. This substitution allows for small, precise positioning accuracy while maintaining robustness against mechanical fixation delays and temperature changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positioning accuracy parameter from coarse mechanical positioning (with large tolerances requiring enlarged light-sensitive surfaces) to fine micromechanical positioning (with small tolerances allowing smaller light-sensitive surfaces). This parameter change enables the use of smaller light receivers that are less susceptible to extraneous light interference while maintaining robustness against environmental variations.
3Manufacturing precision
If a larger light-sensitive surface is used to compensate for positioning tolerances, then mechanical tolerances can be accommodated, but the response time becomes slower and high-frequency response is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces coarse mechanical positioning with fine micromechanical positioning, enabling the use of smaller light receivers. These smaller light receivers inherently provide faster response times and better high-frequency response characteristics while maintaining positioning robustness through the micromechanical connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the light receiver size parameter from large (required for tolerance compensation) to small (enabled by micromechanical positioning precision). This parameter change directly improves response time and high-frequency response while the micromechanical connection system maintains positioning stability.
4Measurement precision
If mechanical adjustment mechanisms are used to achieve precise alignment, then positioning accuracy can be improved, but production costs increase and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light transmitter and light receiver into a closely integrated coaxial arrangement with a common lens. This integration eliminates the need for separate mechanical adjustment mechanisms for each component, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing production costs while maintaining precise alignment through the unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a micromechanical connection system. This substitution achieves precise positioning through micromechanical structures that are more suitable for automated manufacturing processes, thereby reducing production costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining high alignment accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the signal-to-noise ratio, improves high-frequency response, and reduces production costs by achieving precise alignment without complex adjustment processes, enabling a more efficient and accurate distance measurement system.
Implementation Method 1
with which the transmitted light is collimated or the reflected received light is focused
Implementation Method 2
with which the transmitted light is collimated or the reflected received light is focused
Implementation Method 3
the light beam reflected by objects is received again in order to then evaluate the received signal electronically
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A transmit-receive module (12) for an optoelectronic sensor (10) is described, comprising a light emitter (14) with a transmitting optic (16, 16a) and a light receiver (26) with a receiving optic (16, 16b), wherein a beam angle (αS) of the transmitted light (18) of the light emitter (14) is smaller than a receiving angle (αE) of the receiving light (24) incident on the light receiver (26), the light emitter (14) and the light receiver (26) are arranged coaxially, and the transmitting optic (16, 16a) and the receiving optic (16, 16b) are designed as a common optic (16). The light emitter (14) and the light receiver (26) are connected to each other at least indirectly via micromechanical connections.